IT'S TOO LOUD!!!

​With Canada Day just around the corner, it is time to talk a little bit about “noise phobias”, or an inappropriate reaction to noise. Most people have owned, or know someone who has owned, a pet that was bothered by thunder, fireworks or other loud noises. While some cats do respond abnormally to noise, the problem is much more widespread with dogs.

There is a big difference between a normal reaction to noise and a sensitivity. Dogs have evolved to be suspicious of loud noises, but when they overreact, the results can be traumatic. ​A normal reaction to a loud noise is to be alert (but not panicky) and maybe a little startled, with the dog returning to normal once the noise stops. Some dogs don’t react at all to loud noises. When a dog has an abnormal reaction to noise, they don’t calm down once the noise has stopped.  Whether the dog freezes, chews on a table leg or tries to jump through a window, they are suffering, and the problem needs to be addressed. If left untreated, an overreaction to one noise can lead to problems with any loud noise. ​​

​So how can we help? In a nutshell, the dog needs to be exposed to the scary noise until they realize there is nothing to worry about. As we discussed in our previous blog on Separation Anxiety, you need to begin by playing the noise at a very low level and giving lots of rewards. Food is usually the best reward, but if your dog is more into toys or attention, use whatever works. ​This must be done very carefully, or it could make things worse.

​So, for example, if your dog panics during thunderstorms or fireworks, find videos online and play them with the volume VERY low. If your pup is relaxed while the video is playing, give lots of rewards! Do this often, gradually increasing the volume.  The goal is to have the dog ignore the sound by focusing on something else. However, if there are any signs of fear or anxiety, you have to turn the volume back to the last level that the dog was ok with and start over. Eventually, your dog should be able to focus on the reward and ignore the actual sound (thunder etc.).  

​There are also other factors that we must contend with that can make this process more difficult. Dogs with sensitivities to thunder storms can feel the barometric pressure change before the storm actually hits, so they are much harder to calm down. Likewise, dogs who react to fireworks may also react to flashing lights. These things have to be addressed as well before the phobia is resolved. 

There are a few tools that can be used to help limit the anxiety that your dog is feeling during these events. Thundershirts can be very effective for noise sensitive dogs. They work by turning off the sympathetic nervous system and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, taking the dog out of fight-or-flight mode by acting like a tight hug. You can also try things like Mutt Muffs and ThunderCaps or Doggles to limit the stimuli (sights or sounds) that your dog is reacting to. 

​Another very helpful trick is to use scents to calm your dog. Adaptil (link) is a “happy dog” pheromone that can help limit stress and anxiety and comes in collars, sprays or room diffusers. You can also dab lavender essential oil on your dog’s collar or bandana for a natural way to easy stress. These things should be used in conjunction with training, not as a replacement. There are also some pharmaceutical options that are very safe and effective at decreasing anxiety. If you think your dog could benefit from some medicated relaxation, contact your veterinarian. 

​The most important thing you can do to help calm your anxious dog is to remain calm yourself. By offering reassurance and “rewards” when they are stressed you are not reinforcing bad behaviour, you are attempting to change how your dog feels about a situation.